How it happened: SMU used a 16-6 run at the end of the first half to take a 9-point lead into halftime. But the Ponies were sluggish in the second half and let Houston not only get right back in the game but take the lead late in the game. All season long, SMU has struggled against

teams that can knock down threes, and that’s exactly what Houston did. The Cougars were 9-of-19 from beyond the arc and shot almost 50 percent overall in the second half. It seemed like there was a lot miscommunication on the defensive end of the floor, where SMU has excelled this season. And it didn’t help that Nic Moore, SMU’s leading scorer, had a tough day from the floor. In the end, Houston hung on for a 68-64 win.

What it means: SMU is eliminated from the American Athletic conference tournament. There is no way around it, Houston is a bad loss. SMU was projected to be a No. 10 seed going into today but with three straight losses, the Ponies could be as low as a No. 12 seed.

Side Note: Markus Kennedy, one of the top big men in the AAC, went down with an ankle injury in the second half he tripped over a photographer under his own basket. Kennedy appeared to be in a lot pain and was taken back towards the locker room. But he did return– although he didn’t look 100 percent.

Key Stat: 0-9. That was what Nic Moore went from the floor today. When Moore struggles offensively, SMU doesn’t have very many other scorers that can step up. Moore’s performance cost the Mustangs today in a huge way.

Next Up: SMU will have to wait till Selection Sunday to see who it will face in the NCAA tournament– if the Mustangs are selected.

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